Travel pillow securing to bucket seats

ABSTRACT

A support travel cushion that attaches to the bucket seat back of an automobile or other vehicle which primarily supports the users upper back or neck during travel. An attached strap is used to secure the cushion to the bucket siat, preferably a stretchy strap with a buckle for girth adjustment. The support cushion consists of a soft pliable material encased in an outer fabric, ideally both of which are washable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/277,859 filed Mar. 22nd 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to support cushions that attach primarily to bucket seat backs in automobiles, supporting the users posture where the curvy bucket seats may not otherwise conform to the users back or neck area causing discomfort or pain.

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] There have been a small number of inventions which support the users head or back, and attach to the seat during travel, but are designed for only the passenger or head of the passenger. They cannot be used to support the posture of the driver for safety reasons, or are designed only for sleep. Loose pillows will not work effectively because they do not stay in position. The following is a list of patents that are related to this present invention, but fail to serve the main purpose of it. U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,640 appears to be a good tension reducer for the upper back and neck area, but is bulky for travel and cannot be used for the driver of an automobile. Head and arm movement would be greatly constricted. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,345,633 and D428,295 is a cushion support unit that attaches itself to the headrest already in the automobile itself. It does not attach around a bucket seat back, and is solely confined to supporting the users neck. U. S. Pat. Nos. 6,010,192, and 5,211,696, are supporting devices for the users head only, attaching to the automobiles in unique ways. U.S. Design Pat. No. D341,053 attaches to the headrest in the existing automobile only, and adds a lever to adjust the thickness. The use for this device is very limited. U.S. Design Pat. No. 399,382 is a lumber supporting device for an office chair. How it attaches is questionable and it is also limited to specifically support the lumber area.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a support cushion for the spinal area that will stay in place during travel. It is designed primarily for bucket seats in automobiles, providing support and comfort where the modem curvy bucket seats may otherwise not conform to our body shape, causing discomfort or pain. This support cushion will fill in a gap created around the upper back or neck, allowing for a more comfortable spinal position. It will stay secured to the bucket seat in the desirable location by means of a strap. It is especially good for people prone to upper back and neck tension. This invention could also be used for the head and lower back if so desired. Though it is primarily designed for use in cars and trucks, it can be used on the bucket seats in airplanes, buses, or trains. This invention is ideal for travel being flexible, lightweight, and easy for storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention attached to a bucket seat.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the invention attached to a bucket seat.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a front view of the invention unsecured to a bucket seat, showing the straps unsecured.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, it illustrates the cushion 1 support, attached to the bucket seat. The outer casing material, holding the cushioning material together, can be made up of a number of materials, depending on the makers choice. Good washable materials are polyester, cotton, or a combination of the two. Other possibilities are rayon, acrylic, or velour fabric. The cushioning material on the inside can also be made up of a variety of materials including polyester, cotton, acrylic, foam, and rayon. Washable materials likewise being preferred. The outer casing is stitched 3 together around the outsides of the cushioning material, as is common in the making of pillows. The two straps 2 are stitched into the right and left sides of the seam of the pillow. As seen in FIG. 3, attached to one strap is a buckle 4 which fastens to the other strap, securing it around a bucket seat. The straps must consist of a durable material such as an elastic strap, a vinyl strap, or a backpack style strap. In place of the buckle, velcro or snaps may be used. The straps may also be of one continuous elastic strap, stretching to fit around the bucket seat back. It is important that the straps be adjustable in girth since different bucket seats have different girths, and this also allows the invention to move up or down on one particular bucket seat, in which the girth changes. To adjust the firmness of the support cushion, a drawstring may also be implemented.

[0011] Having described the subject matter of the present invention, it should be apparent that those skilled in the art will recognize that variations may be made without departing from the true scope of the invention. Therefore it is not to be limited to the embodiments explained and illustrated, but is to be determined by the claims appended hereto. 

1. What is claimed is: a travel cushion supporting the upper back and neck of a person which consists of: a padded body member containing a soft pliable material encased in a resilient fabric; a strap attached to said body member, attaching it around a vehicle bucket seat back, allowing said cushion to adjust up or down; said strap is adjustable in girth by means of a buckle. 